RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOR AS A UTILITY-OPTIMIZING AND INCLUSIVE FITNESS-OPTIMIZING STRATEGY - COMMENTS

Marcel Roele's analysis of religion from the perspective of economic t heory (''utility'' optimization) and evolutionary biology (inclusive f itness'' optimization) is highly interesting and thoughtful, reflectin g a growing interest in the linkage between economic and evolutionary theories (e.g. Hirshleifer, 1987; Posner, 1992). Roele's analysis give s rise, however, to several issues - some theoretical, others practica l. Because dialogue on these questions is essential if the field is to develop, the following comments are proposed as friendly amendments.